The senior property tax exemption, on one page

What it is

The exemption removes 50% of the first $200,000 of the home's actual value for qualifying owners. So at most $100,000 of value is exempt — less on a home worth under $200,000. The smaller taxable value then flows through the assessment rate and the mills, which is how it lowers the bill.

Who qualifies

• Seniors — 65 or older who have owned and lived in the home for 10 or more years.
• Qualifying disabled veterans and Gold Star spouses — under the veteran side of the same program.

The official Division of Property Taxation page (below) carries the full qualification rules — check it before assuming either way.

The deadlines

Seniors apply by July 15; qualifying disabled veterans and Gold Star spouses apply by July 1. Confirm the current year's dates with your county assessor.

Where the application goes

Apply through your county assessor — the assessor's office takes the application and controls the property record. The directory below finds the right county office.